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Had they shown her the slightest kindness in the past, made her feel any affection or attachment to this family or her surname, the Rong family, as the in-laws of the Crown Prince and future Empress, would have had a chance at redemption even after hitting rock bottom.

Killers are punished by the hearts they've broken.

They would soon realize what they had lost when they were left with nothing.

Every word the man spoke resonated with conviction. Xiao Huaian looked at him, his heart stirring slightly.

In his memory, this brother who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere always carried himself with calculated composure, rarely revealing any fluctuations of emotion on his face.

Xiao Huaian had caught a glimpse of the fleeting killing intent that flashed in his eyes just now.

More perceptive and intelligent than his peers, he knew now that his concerns were unwarranted. He could even sense that his concern for the Rong family's sister might make this brother treat him even better.

So Xiao Huaian said, "The palace also has a plum forest. I believe Sister Rong would appreciate it."

He continued, "At that time, I'll ask Chao'an to carve small ice creatures for her to hang throughout the plum forest."

The plum grove in Minglu Yard was a natural, untamed forest, distinct from the cultivated one within the palace walls.

Gu Changjin was well aware that the young lady favored the plum blossom forest in Minglu Mountain over the one within the palace walls. That was why he had mentioned that she would be angry with his future actions.

Xiao Huaian resided in the Eastern Six Palaces, and it was already late in the evening when palace gates were closed. Gu Changjin arranged for him to spend the night in the East Palace and be delivered to the Imperial Study before dawn to learn about history and classics.

As soon as school ended at noon, Wang Dehai invited Xiao Huaian to the Yuxin Hall.

"His Highness the Crown Prince didn't return last night, and His Majesty is quite concerned."

Since they had been accompanied by the Imperial Guards and Gu Changjin during their departure from the palace yesterday, Emperor Jiaoyu wasn't genuinely worried. He merely wanted to know the reason behind their trip to Minglu Mountain on the outskirts of the city.

Xiao Huaian, of course, couldn't keep this a secret and recounted the events of yesterday truthfully.

"Miss Rong was very polite and kind to me," Xiao Huaian said sincerely, taking out a rabbit-shaped ear warmer from his robe. "She even gave me this rabbit warmer to protect my ears from the cold yesterday."

Emperor Jiaoyu glanced at the rabbit warmer in Xiao Huaian's hand, slightly surprised.

Xiao Huaian was cautious and had always gravitated towards those who genuinely treated him well since childhood. It was rare to see him speak so warmly about someone he had only met once.

The lady from the Rong family was the eldest daughter of Duke Cheng'an Rong Xun, the same young woman for whom the Crown Prince had requested an imperial marriage at the Kunning Palace previously.

Back when Emperor Jiayou started his uprising in Taiyuan Prefecture, the Rong family was among the first to pledge their loyalty as military households.

Both Grandfather Rong and Rong Jun were valiant and wise, so Emperor Jiayou remembered them. However, he had a faint impression of the current Duke Cheng'an, Rong Xun.

As for Rong Xun's legitimate eldest daughter, the emperor would not have recalled her at all if not for the prince mentioning her that day.

Recently, stories of this young lady's benevolent deeds in Yang State Prefecture were spreading like wildfire.

Knowing that she was the granddaughter of Shen Huai, who was once the wealthiest man in Yang State Prefecture, Emperor Jiayou was not surprised by her actions. The Shen family had always been known for their good conduct.

When his subordinates secretly tried to use the Shen family as an example to intimidate others, Emperor Jiayou found out about it only after Shen Huai had already transferred most of his wealth through Grandfather Rong to him.

Noticing Emperor Jiayou's appreciation for Shen Huai, Grandfather Rong promptly arranged a marriage alliance with the Shen family.

The Shen family's selfless dispersal of their wealth for the country and its people inspired other wealthy families to follow suit. It was this act that helped Great Yin, then suffering from an empty treasury, to weather its toughest times.

Emperor Jiayou chuckled and said, "After receiving hospitality from others, one should properly express gratitude. In the future, I will instruct the empress to summon that Rong family girl to the palace. You should personally thank her."

On that day, when the Crown Prince requested an imperial marriage, since Emperor Jiaoyu had agreed, he wouldn't go back on his word.

Summoning her to the palace would also put the Empress's mind at ease about the possibility of the Crown Prince marrying a member of the Qi family.

"Retire for now. You played half the day yesterday, so don't be too playful today," Emperor Jiaoyu looked at Xiao Huaian with affection. "In the future, you must help your elder brother protect Great Yin well. You need to learn these skills now."

Xiao Huaian replied crisply, "Uncle Emperor, rest assured. I've been learning horseback riding and archery with General Mu. In the future, I'll guard the borders of Great Yin and drive away foreign invaders to protect our people."

Emperor Jiaoyu's sickly face broke into a smile.

Wang Dehai brought in a bowl of medicine. Xiao Huaian knew that after taking the medicine, Emperor Jiaoyu would need to rest, so he quickly excused himself.

As soon as Xiao Huaian left, Emperor Jiaoyu drank the medicine in one go. But not long after, he coughed, and a few streaks of crimson stained the bright yellow handkerchief.

Wang Dehai's face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum. "Shall this servant invite Doctor Sun to give Your Majesty an acupuncture treatment?"

This illness had plagued Emperor Jiaoyu since birth, and as he grew older, it worsened. Even Doctor Sun couldn't find a cure; administering medicine and acupuncture merely prolonged his life for a few more days.

He was as aware as a mirror that everyone had to die eventually. Emperor Jiaoyu had long come to terms with life and death.

What he couldn't bear to part with was the Xiao family's legacy and the people of Great Yin.

Fortunately, the heavens had been kind to him, sending the talented Long Jin to his side. This child was more suited to be an emperor than he was. Knowing that he could entrust Great Yin into Long Jin's hands, Emperor Jia'you felt at peace even if he were to pass away in that moment.

Looking at Wang Dehai's worried expression, he sighed and said, "If you wish to invite him, go ahead. But don't let this matter spread, especially not to the Empress."

Wang Dehai understood that Emperor Jia'you was referring to his coughing up blood. He agreed promptly and personally went to summon Doctor Sun, the hospital attendant.

Sun Bailong arrived hastily with his medicine chest and diligently treated Emperor Jia'you with acupuncture. After two hours, when the emperor had fallen asleep peacefully, Sun Bailong finally left the Palace of Nurturing Heart, exhausted.

No sooner had he returned to the Imperial Hospital than he was summoned again, this time by the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Upon inquiry, he learned that Empress Qi, who had just returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, needed him to detoxify her.

Assuming that Empress Qi was the one poisoned, Sun Bailong dared not delay.